Librarian delivered more than books
by LIZ THOMPSON
A single, pink rose is bent over in the vase on my table. It is a memory from the funeral of a friend more than a week ago.
The room at Newcomer's Funeral Home in Grove City was standing room only and I knew two people, outside of the family and pastor. The more I learned about Cathey Vincent, the more this made sense to me.
She touched many lives and her legacy will be that kindness she emanated to everyone.
As an Outreach staff member for 17 years with the Southwest Public Libraries in Grove City, Cathey did much more than deliver books to homebound people.
The goal of the department is to "Provide library services to non-traditional patrons," said Tonia Hall who worked Outreach with Cathey.
"She brightened everyone's day. The patrons knew she was ill (with cancer) and would call her at home or the library to ask how she was doing and to let her know they were praying for her."
Tonia added that Cathey knew outreach details backward and forward.
"She was the person to go to for information. Especially the Federal Talking Book Program for the blind." But it was more than a job, she cared about every patron and fellow staffer.
Another service Cathey, and other Outreach staff continue to offer, is time at Carriage Court, an assistive living facility in Grove City, to do Adult Read Alouds.
Here they read short stories, played music from the past, and had tactile programs. Everything was participatory and fun.
"Cathey always made sure there were cookies or something to celebrate their time with the residents," Tonia added.
Mary Ann Howard, also in Outreach, said that Cathey's faith in God was strong and it touched everything she did or said.
She said that since Cathey's one eye was crossed from Whooping Cough, she was extra sensitive to people needing medical help.
"She cared about others," Mary Ann said. "At least once she sent money to The SmileTrain.com so a child with cleft palate could have corrective surgery."
Grove City Library once had a bookmobile that kept the Outreach Department extra busy.
Before the bus broke down and had to be sold, Mary Gibson and Cathey were at least two people who got behind the wheel to take books to eager children and adults on their large route.
"Cathey loved the children. She wanted them to have a good time and no one was a stranger to her," Mary recalled.
The two had a running joke. "We took turns driving. But it seemed every time Cathey was driving she would get 'stuck' behind a wide load or slow moving farm equipment on a two-lane road," she remembered with a giggle. "I loved her laugh."
Even though Cathey was involved in Outreach for many years, her enthusiasm never waned.
When children didn't have library cards at the book mobile, she would print off seasonal work sheets so every child had something to take home.
Pat Crossen, in Technical Systems, works closely with the Outreach program.
"We're like a family down here. I have been here 19 years and Cathey was one of the reasons I'm still here. She did make a difference," Pat said.
When I visited Cathey at her home while she was on Hospice, she had a beautiful quilt covering her.
I was surprised when she said that a client had made it for her – but after talking to the folks at the library, it simply confirmed what they told me.
That visit was the last time I saw Cathey before she died a week later.
As Pastor Stan Kirtlan, from Buckeye Christian Church, said at the funeral service, "She lost her battle with cancer. And she was frustrated with the illness and prayed for healing. Her prayers were answered and she is at home with God."
Cathey's husband, Pat, of 36 years, son, Matt, daughter, Amy and her husband, Lorenzo and son, Andrew, and extended family will never fill the space left by her but will rely on the memories that surround them.
Knowing she is no longer in pain and at home is their solace.
Her obituary was striking to me because life successes typically shown were not.
Instead she chose scripture – Ephesians 2:4-7 – and a list of family members. The people were her life and the message she lived.
When I saw Cathey's grandson, Andrew, 10, reach for one more pink rose off her casket at the cemetery and give it to a young girl with a smile, I smiled as well thinking, "Cathey, your love carries on."
Well done.
Published in Suburban News Publications
7-18-07
Liz Thompson is a freelance writer and former SNP reporter
who lives in Grove City with her husband, Bob.
All materials published in MSWorld™ are protected by copyright laws.
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